Use of artificially frozen ground to provide temporary support is increasing in the United States. Temporary frozen ground structures are usually designed by contractors experienced in this type of construction. However, there is an absence of accepted requirements for artificially frozen ground. Sheeting and shoring are typically designed by a professional engineer, stress levels are regulated by code, and computations are often reviewed. Similar standard design procedures do not exist for temporary frozen walls. As a result, the owner and the engineer cannot readily ascertain the adequacy of the design of a project or the risk undertaken by the contractor. This paper describes the ground-freezing process and proposes performance and monitoring requirements for artificial ground freezing. Engineers can then judge whether the design is commensurate with project needs. Case histories are included.
Abstract